Electric regulator



Dec. 19,1922. 1,438,947.

l R. n. CONWAY.

ELECTRIC REGULATOR.

. FILED DEC.9 1919. 91 @a @y 73 7/ r2 v w Jig@ 1 "L 6b: Q7 66 GQ :i- \.30 1/ //7 Ven/Ory P0] D Conway Patented Dec. 19, 1922.

UNITED STATES ROY D. CONWAY, OF CHATHAM. NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO WESTERNELECTRIC COMANY, INCORPORATED, OF NEVI YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OFNEVI YORK.

ELECTRIC REGULATOR.

Application tiled December 9,`1919. Serial No. 343,559.

concise, and exact description.

This invention relates to arrangements for regulating an electricalcharacteristic of .a circuit, such as the intensity of current flowingtherethrough. One of the objects olf the invention is to provide amethod and means for insuring a constant flow of cur-4 rent over acircuit.' Another object consists 'in providing means for automaticallyincreasing the resistance in a circuit whenever the currentflow-therethrough has a tendency yto increase and also means forautomatically reducing the resistance in said circuit as the currentflow tends to decrease. Other objects of this invention will appear inthe detailed description to be nriven later.

It has often been found desirable to associate with a work circuitinclrulingr translating devices such, for example, as a circuitincluding thelilaments of vacuum tube repeaters, an arrangement forregulating the current flou'r therethrough. This is because the voltageof the source which supplies the electric current for the circuit mayhave a tendency to vary beyond the limits within which satisfactoryoperation of the apparatus will result] As it has been found that avacuum tube repeater will give better service if the current flow in itsfilament heating circuit remains constant, the regulating apparatuscomprisingr this invention has been provided.

The preferred form of this' invention commises a voltnicter relaysensitive to slight variations in voltage, the. winding of which isconnected to the source which snpplics current for the work circuit. Anincrease in the voltage of this source will cause a circuit to be closedover the needle and one of the contacts of the voltmcter7 thereinYoperating resistance-vaivingr mechanism to add a certain amount ofresistance to the work circuit. and to the-'circuit including the winding ofthe voltmeter. 'lhc resistance varying mechanism will continue tooperate and will add further resistance to the circuit including thevoltmeter winding and the worlclclrcuit until the increase in currentflow has been counterbalanced and the voltmeter needle returns toneutral position. If the current flow from the source decreases, acircuit is closed over the needle and another contact in the voltmeterwhich serves to operate the resistance-varying mechanism to reduce theresistance in the voltineter circuit and the work circuit in proportionto the4 decrease in voltage. p.

In vthe preferred form 4this"resistance varying mechanism comprises atwo-way motion step-by-step switch under the control of the contacts ofthe voltmeter. This step-by-step switch serves to vary the amount oli`resistance in 4the work circuit and at Vthe same time causes aproportional change in the resistance of the voltmeter circuit. In casethere are a plurality of work circuits to be regulated this inventioncontemplates employing a step-by-step switch for each work circuit, allthe switches lnormally beiner adapted to be placed under the control ofbut one voltmeter. The connections are such that the voltmeter may bemade responsive to changes in only one of the Work circuits to control aplurality of the work circuits. Connections are also provided forplacing under the control of the voltmeter only one of the work circuitsso that each circuit may be. given its initial adjustment automaticallywithout interfering with the adjustment of the other associated workcircuits.

This invention will be better understood b v .reference to the followingdetailed description taken in connection with the. accompanyinpy drawingwhich represents the preferred form of the circuit arrangements otl thisinvention.

Connected to a battery 2, is a voltrneter relay 3` which has a needle 4located between two stationary contacts 5 and 6. Since these contactsarc extremely delicate and easily burnt out. needle 4 is connected to anintermediate point of a circuit containingr the high resistances T and 8and source ot voltage '2. so that only a fraction of the total potentialof batter)- may be applied to the voltmetcr needle in the case where thetotal potential of battery 2 would be injurious to the contacts ifapplied directly. Un-

der the control of voltmeter',needlentand 5 contact G'is a relay 10,which, in" turn, through its movable contact 11, conductors 12, 13 and14 control the magnet 15 of the two-way motion'V switch '16. MatgnetfflVserves to operate the stcppingpawl v18 to step around the ratchet.wheel-19, thereby serving to rotate contact arm20 in a counter-clockwisedirection -over the resistance 21. Variableresistance 21 is included ina circuit iwith cathdes 23 of a plurality of vacuum "tube 'repeaters byythe following Vlr:tarysizviteh 16, contact arm 20, resistance"21,3"ie'it'ardA coil 2G. conductor 27, jack 28 "cbndiictor '29,Vcatliodes 23 to battery and `20 rgrendel.'The 'operation of the stepping'fpawlflSHbf xiitignet l5 thereforelserves to decrease the amountl ofresistanciefwin the hearing .eieuirjfpircathds2a.'

its movable contact 34, vcondu'e"rs'135, 36

" sprinrinernber 2,4 to lturn contact arm 2O in a cloclwisel directionthereby increasing the anionntvbf resistance 21"'which1is included"in'ithe' heating circuit for cathodles 23.

The 'winding 43', of lvoltnieter 3 is adapted'to becnnected in .serieswith resistance'21 and cathodesj23 by the insertion of a ,fling MiriEjack 28. Vith such an insertion 4the connection is as followsgrfioniground,

Contact arm '20, resistance 21,A conductors A27 and 45, violtnietyerwinding 43, conductors 4C- Aand 29, eathods 23 to batteryand ground. The'ofieration of the circuit arrangement 'maynow be explained as follows.Assuming 'that pluglfl` 1s in jack 28, voltmeter 3 is responsivqtocurrent flowing in circuit ,con-

` taining cathodes 23, As long as the current ,in this healtin'ffcircuitis equal to the desired constant ,value for the heating current,voltin'e'ter needlet ,remains in neutral position. ssoon, however, asthe value of the heatingr current has 'changed due. for examplel to achange in the voltage of source 2. voltmeter needle 4 will be deflectedeither to the right or to the left so as to control rotar)Y switch 1G toraiv the ellective value of resistance 2l until the heating,r current.has heen changed baci: lo itsy original value. Thus. il the voltage ofsource 2 were to increase, duc to the. charging of the battery. forexample, voltlneter needle 4 would be deflected to the right Rein.;- 33would then be energized due ie the closing of the followingYcircuitT'frotn gmrnd. batter) conductor 4S. winding' of who t', contactsneedle 4, conductor i9 to is ground. The closing of this circuit will eniathlfromf'ground, coiled spring 24 of ro-` crgize relay 33 therebycausing,r its movable Contact 34 to be pulled up to close thefollowingjr circuit: from ground, battery 2, conductor 48, movableContact 34, conductors 35,

g3G and 37, winding of magnetf), contact 5U lease of escapement pawl 40is sutiicientdo countervbalance the increase incurrent inthe heatingrcircuit. due to change in voltage of battery 2, voltmeter needle` 4 willreturn to neutral position thereby deenergizing relay 33. Thedeenergization ofrelay 33V will, by

a path. prcviously traced, remove batteryr ,from magnet .39 beforeinterrupter 51 has oltmeterneedle 4.,

rotated` a sullicient distance to ground again contact- ,In fonder.that'zthis maybe Vac- 1 V, ,complishedihe eriod of rotation ofinterar'rcoitolsitffe Operaties fqf magnetaa,

4and relay` 33 .will have had time to operate rupterflshoul `be so timedthat needle 4 before the second conductive connection to roundnccurs for.Contact 50. In general, 1tA may be ySaid that the circuit arrangementwill operatasatisfactorily if interrupter 51 serves to make and breakthe circuit from Y-1 to 1G times per second.

If, however, the increase in resistance 21 is not sutlicicnt tocounter-balance the increase in yvoltage of source 2, volunteer needle 4will remaindcected to the right` thereby keeping,Ir energized relay 33and niaintaining the battery connection for magnet 39. As soon asinterrupter 51 has rotated to give `contact a second ground connection,mag.:- net 39 will be operated and escapment pawl 40 will be released toallow a second shift in,

Va clockwise direction of Contact arm 20. If

the amount of resistance added by the second shift of contact arm 20 isSufficient to restore the heating current to its original desired value,voltmeter needle 4 will return to neutral position, thereby deenergizingrelay 33 and removing: battery from magnet 39 before sufficient time haselapsed for interruptor 51 to gire a third grounded connection forcontact 50. lf the amount ol" resistlance added by the second shift isnot sullicient to restore. the original value of the eurrent. roltrueterneedle 4 will remain deflected to the right thereby lieepirrLr energizedrelay 33 and maintaining the batteri' connection for magnet 39, ltfollows` therel'ire` that magnet 39 will continue to increase. theamount ol resistinec in the volnieter circuit and work circuit until theoriginal \alue of the heatiilr current has been regained.

lt now` we assume that the current in the heating circuit for cathodes23 should decrease, be'low the desired ,constant value, needle 4 of thevoltmeterw'ill be deiected tothe left and relay 10 will be energized 5due to the closing of the following circuit: From ground, battery 2,conductor 53, wind- ;ing of relay 10, conductor 54, contact G, needle 4,conductor 49 to ground. The ener gization of relay will pull up its mov-10' able contact 11 and close the following cir- -cuit. From iground,battery 2, conductor 53, movable contact 1l, conductors 12, 13 and 14,vwinding of. magnet 15, contact 50 through interrupter 51 to ground. Assoon i15.as interrupter Y5). has given Contact 50 a connection to..ground, magnet 15 will operate to causestepping pawl 18 to shiftconrtact-armi 20. a certain distance in a counter- 'clockwise direction,thereby decreasing the 20 .amount-'oresistance .in the circuit with the-lzoattery l2,;1and is suicient to restore theV 14125.originalwaluefofthe filament heating cur- .Ja-ent; voltxneterineedle 4 will return toneu- 5 tralpostionyithereby deenergizing relay 10 before sullicient-timehas `elapsed for magnet 15 to be operatedva second time. How-130ever,sif' thefidecrease ,in resistance is notfsufficienttofcounter-balance the decrease in current,'voltmeter `needle4 will remain de- ,flecteiihto the= left, thereby keeping relay 10=energized.n-In this condition, magnet 15 u-will- :be operated a secondtime as soon as contact has been given a conductive connection to.ground .through -interrupter 51, :therebyoperatingstepping pawl 18 tocause a seconddecrease 4in Vthe amount of resistance 21 included in thevoltmeter circuit and in the Work circuit. If this second decrease is`suilicient to counter-balance the decrease in current, needle 4 willreturn to neutralv position, thereby deenergizing re- 45 lay 10 andpreventing the third operation vof magnet 15. However, if the seconddecrease in resistance is not sullicient, it follows that voltmeterneedle 4 4will remain deilected to the left until magnet 15 has operateda sufficient number of times to secure the proper decrease in the amountof resistance 21.

It -therefore follows that voltmeter 3. ythrough the'intermediary ofrelays 10 and 33 serves to control rotary switch 1G so as to maintainsubstantially constant the current flow in work circuit 29. Byconnections similar to those already described the voltmeter 3 may bemade to control a plurality of rotary switches 1G each of which in turncontrols the amount of resistance in an individual work circuit. Assho-wn in drawing, conductors 13 and 36 leading from thc relays l() and33 are also connected to conductors 60 and (il which lead to a ro` taryswitch 63. This rotary switch G3 may control in turn the amount ofresistance in the circuit containing the. filaments of vacuum tuberepeaters G4. Conductors 65 and (3G are also electrically connected tothe main conductors 13 and 36 so that the rotary switch (37 in responseto voltmetcr 3 may control the amount of resistance in the work circuitcontainingr the filaments of vacuum tube repeaters G9. In a similarmanner there. may be connected to the main line conductors 13 and 3G,any desired number of lea-ds to other rotary switches which may beemployed to vary the amount of rcsistance in work circuits in responseto the energization of relays l0 and 33. With plug 44 in jack 28 ittherefore follows that the amount of resistance in work circuits 29, and71 will be variedin rcsponse, to

changes in the current flowing in work cir-A cuit 29. This arrangementof having-,the characteristic of a .plurality of work"cir cuits changein response to a conditionzin one of the workV circuits will work mostsatisfactorily when the work circuits `are similar so that a chan e inthe current of one will be accompanie by a corresponding change in eachof theothers. If desired, plug 44 may be inserted in eitherijack 72 orjack 73 so as to make voltmeter 3 respon-v sive to the current in eitherWorkcircuit 70 or 71.

It may frequently be found desirable to cause voltmeter 3 to adjust theresistance in only one of the work circuits at one time. Thus if, forexample, one or more new vacuum tubes have been pla-ced in theWorkcircuit 29, it will generally be necessaryvto readjust the amount ofresistance originally included in the circuit to give the desired valueof heating current for the filaments. In accordance with this inventionthis individual readjustment of the amount of resistance in any one ofthe work circuits may be accomplished by moving switch 74 to its secondposition so as to connect conductors 12 and 35 with conductors 75 and76. If now the plug 77 is inserted in jack 78, relays 10 and 33 will beconnected through conductors 75, 76 and 37 and 14 to the controllingmagnets of rotary switch 16. but the conductors for rotar;- switches 63and G7 will bc removed from the control of relays l0 and 33 so thatthese two relays will actuate only rot-ary Switch 16. If now plug 44 isinserted in jack 2S. voltmeter 3 will be responsive to the current inwork circuit 29 and will` through plugr 7T and jack 78, cause rotaryswitch 16 to make any necessary change in the value of the resistanceincluded in the work circuit in order to secure the desired value of theheating current for the cathodes of the vacuum tube repeaters. Similarlyif it is desired to secure the individual adjustment of work llO circuitT0, plug #lll should be insertedWiin jack 72, and plug,r TT should beinserted `in jack 79. \Vitli such a connection only the rotar)r switch(Srl will be controlled by voltmetcr 3.

Some of the broader asp vcntion are disclosed :nu copending applicationSerial No. 313,033, filed July 24,1919, on electric regulators.

It is to be understood that this inven tion is not limited to theparticular -form described above but 'it may be variously modifiedwithout fdeparting from the spirit of this invent in tlic appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:

l. In combination, a plurality o-similar work circuits, a source ofvoltage for vmid work circuits, a variable resistancefor each of saidwork circuits and a solenoid responsive to a. condition of only one of-saidcircuits for contrllingthe amo sistance in each of said workcircuits;

2. In combination, a plurality of work/circuits, a source of voltageforsaidf worklcircuits,a 'variableire'si-stance` individual ltloleki'eh ofsaid Work eircuitspai'solenoid;andmeans for 'cansingsalid solenoid to`be rc'sponsivelto ai'oondition of any one otsaidihcircuits wherebysaidfsolenoid controls the amount of resistance in eaclof saidwork'circuits.

3. In combination, a plurality of ivork dircuits, a source' of voltagefor saidwork circcts of this inion as 'defined cuits, a variableresistance individual tosaidrwork circuits, a' solenoid responsiveitowthe condition of one ofsaid circuits, and switching means andconnections whereby-Usaid solenoid controls the amount of resistance inlity of said circuits to the anir one o'f a plura exclusion of others.

4. ln combination, a, plurality of Work circuits, a source of voltagefor said work circuits, a variable impedance for each of said workcircuits, a solenoid, means for causing said solenoid to be responsiveto a condition ot' any one of a plurality of said work circuits andswitching means w noid controls individually the impedance in each ofsaid Worlr circuits.

ln combination. a plurality of vork circuits. a source of volt-age forsaid work cirrui-.sx a variable resistance for each of said unil;circuits, a solenoid` means for causing said solenoid to be responsiveto a condition ol' any one of a plurality of said circuits to theexclusion of others and switching means uluirliv said solenoid controlscollectively ilu resistant-es. in earli oli said work circuits.

l. ln rombination. a plurality ol` work cirruils. a source ol vollagilfor saidcircuits. a arialile resistance individual to said cirrnils. asolenoid. means for causing said'solenoid to lie responsive lo thecurrent in anr one ol a pluralit \v of said circuits t() the, CX.clusion ol others and switching means and l claimed in myin any Wise`unt vof-said rehereby said sole- -c'onnections' Awher-eliyzsaidlsolenoid controls .said rsistances eithe collectively or-.andidiially atwill. -11- '1i 7-'i'1`he method of 'regula of *wor-ki 1 circuits-wherein i laver eniployed= a variable resistance individual work?circuits, andF a; sole la plurality c toeach ofsaid noid responsive.toia

condition tjoneliofi said, -work-.circitsgisad method comprisingcontrolling :it-timeszsad resistans energization 'ofisaid solenoid :andtimes controllin in :response-tot 'esenergizationioif said solenoid.

S. Tfheimelhod .of :regulating-a plu olwork circuitsjwhereinrreg emp"individuallywin response -todzhe'A .at other said resistancescollectively ralityloyedavariableifresistatiic''indinidaal.oaxzh of saidworlc circuits," :mdf-al solenoid f condition iofi oneloff: methodoompmsm responsive to' a lsaidilworkibirouits, Isaid at i times :they

gioontnoLi-ingi energizatiion lot said solenoilssuccessively, in

i cuits;

amies and f .responsito the wrrentffin eaiclvorfa'iplunality`otsaaidworlr circnibsnml uStaIlCSVSuOGBSS fgizationuoff widisdlenoidlmdnakaotheritmes icontrohbngfsajli 'solenidoin'i i, ifoffsaid Lworlnesistancswollectiivly 'ergization 'Iofflsaidr solerioidifv.L w wf.9:'ln combinations; a'sourte ctlvolagel rior.`

euits'gaa: Pvariable resistaneeimleach 'ltvork l circnitsg't nectediimseries lcnbmzliliirig said: reveli# im response tto theenerihilrespoliileltoitheeniplumllityiof 'Workfcir` 9 5 sadJWorkoiriofsaid soleno'lida tto be ooniluitb anyione of .saiduresistsaidlsource ofi-voltage, wheeby'flOO -saidf'solenoi'd is; madeerespnsiel`=to 'the curi Y -ent'ini fthe mentioned:

circuits, 'ai

said lcircui current otA means and controls'the vamount and connectionswhereby trols thelamount of; resistance-iny any one of i105 a pluralitylof'fsaid/ A l 10.111'1L combination, ay :plurali iwonkneircit icontainimid ilast resistance;landiiswzitt'zlnng Ameans V#said solenoidcontyv ofwork source,4 of i. Avoltage #for said Work .individual to ts,!atsolenoidluresponsvel fto. the il l0 one ofv caida circuitsiswitcliingconnections wherebyisaid solenoid 'of resistance in any one of aplurality .ofosad .circuits to'tlie exclusion of'. another and mennsffor:continuoushv i i5 -interrupting said connections.

ll. ln combination, a p

circuitsJ a cuits, variable i resistancss indiv circuits,"a

lurality of Work source 'of' voltagefor said ciridual to said solenoidresponsive to the cur 120 rento one of said :eircuitsito -tlie exclusionof anoth'or.

and means connections. 12. In combinati circuits, a placingr sa! any oneo switching means/and connections id .controls .collectively f ,said-Tvork circuits forcontinuously'interrupting said 125 on, a plurality ofwork voltmeter relay.` connections for d voltineter under the -controlof t a .plurality of said circuits, a i

source of voltage for said circuits, variable resistant-,es individualto said circuitsk a solenoid responsive to said voltmetcr for lncreasingthe value oi said resistances when the current in one of said workcircuits tends to ini-,reasr and a second solenoid responsive to sai/.lvoltineter for decreasing the value of said resistances when the currentin one of said work circuits tends to decrease.

13. In combination, a plurality of work circuits, a source of voltagefor said circuits-variable resistances individual to said circuits, avoltmeter, connections for placing said voltmeter in series with theresistance and said source in any one of a plurality of said circuits, asolenoid responsive to said voltnieter for an increase in the current ofone of said circuits, a solenoid responsive to said voltmeter for adecrease in the current in one of said circuits, circuit connectionsunder the control of said first solenoid for increasing the value ofsaid resistances` circuit connections under the control of said secondsolenoid for decreasing the value of said resistances and means forcontinu` ously interrupting said connections.

14. In combination, a plurality of work circuits, a source of voltagefor said Work circuits, variable resistances individual to saidcircuits, a voltmeter, connections for placing said voltmeter under thecontrol of any one of a plurality of said work circuits to the exclusionof another, a solenoid responsive to said voltmeter for an increase inthe current of one of said circuits, a second solenoid responsive tosaid voltmeter for a decrease in current in one of said circuits,magnetic means for varying each of said resistances, energizing circuitsfor said magnetic means, switching means for placing one of saidenergizin circuits under the control of said solenoi s to the exclusionof another of said energizing circuits and means for continuouslyinterrupting said energizing circuits.

15. In combination, a plurality of similar work circuits, currentsupplyingT means therefor, a regulating element Vfor cach of saidcircuits, and a control element responsive to a condition of only one ofsaid circuits for controlling the regulating elcments.

16. In combination, a plurality of work circuits, current supplyingmeans for said circuits, a regulating element for each of said circuits,a control element responsive to the condition of one o said circuits,and switching means and connections whereby said control elementcontrols the regulating element in any one of a plurality of saidcircuits.

17. In combination, a plurality1 of Work circuits, current supplyingmeans therefor. a regulating element for each of said circuits, acontrol element, means for causing said control element to be responsiveto a condition of any one of a plurality of said circuits, and switchinmeans whereby said control element contro s individually the regulatingelement in each of said work circuits.

18. In combination, a plurality of work circuits, a source of voltagefor said work circuits, a regulating element for cach of said Workcircuits, a control element, means for causing said control element tobe respon sive to a condition of any one of a plurality of said circuitsto the exclusion of others` and switching means whereby said controlelement controls collectively the regulating elements in said circuits.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 5th day ofDecember, A. D., 1919.

ROY D. CONWAY.

